THE YEAR AHEAD – 2015–16
ASAC members have agreed on the following issues as Council priorities in 2015-16:
STATISTICAL DIRECTIONS AND PRIORITIES
Over the next 12 months the Council will advise the Statistician and the Minister on statistical services and priorities on the ABS work program for 2015-16 to 2018-19. In addition, the Council will advise the ABS on the directions and priorities it should be considering to enable it to remain relevant as Australia’s National Statistical Organisation (NSO) in the longer term. The Council will continue to engage with members of international statistics committees to gain insights into priorities and risks facing other NSOs around the world.
ABS TRANSFORMATION AGENDA
ASAC strongly welcomes the opportunities that will arise from ABS’s transformation agenda and looks forward to providing robust and critical advice as the ABS continues to gather different perspectives in order to modernise and transform all aspects of its operations and organisation. To assist in the ABS’s transformation ASAC intends to sponsor a blue sky discussion on the future of information and data to explore emerging megatrends and proposes to invite expert speakers and influencers in the policy environment.
REFORM OF THE NATIONAL STATISTICAL SYSTEM
Progressing reforms to the national statistical system has become a critical focus for the Council. ASAC welcomes the Australian Government’s interest in modernising the ABS’s legislative framework and will work with the ABS in consultation with stakeholders to develop proposals to bring forward to Government. In addition, ASAC will continue to pursue the wider reform work of the national statistical system and will build on the momentum growing with other Australian Government initiatives to progress the case for a coordinated national approach. ASAC will also pursue opportunities to lead discussions on the need for broader reforms and intends to provide a submission to the Reform of the Federation White Paper.
The Council will continue to champion the Essential Statistical Assets for Australia initiative and ASAC expects work to continue on Phase 3 of the initiative, which will identify the underlying essential statistical infrastructure (ESI).
CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING
The Council looks forward to assisting the ABS in achieving its plans for a digital Census for the 2016 Census of Population and Housing and will continue to receive regular updates on progress and provide advice on developments as required.
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